Peugeot is showing off the 2016-spec 2008 DKR with its new Red Bull livery prior to a race debut at the 38th Dakar Rally.

Peugeot is showing off the 2016-spec 2008 DKR with its new Red Bull livery prior to a race debut at the 38th Dakar Rally.

Peugeot Sport is proud to introduce next year’s Dakar fighter that comes with a fresh Red Bull livery and a heavily modified body. It looks even meaner than before as it has been widened by 167 mm (now at 2200 mm), lowered by 118 mm (at 1794 mm), and lengthened by 185 mm (at 4284 mm). Interestingly, even though it’s longer than before, the front and rear overhangs have actually been shortened. That’s because the added length can be seen in the wheelbase which has grown by 200 mm to 3000 mm.

To offset the added weight commanded by the the larger footprint, the 2008 DKR has made the switch from 17-inch aluminum two-piece wheels to 17-inch magnesium one-piece wheels. Just like last year, these come wrapped in Michelin 37/12.5x17 tires that are now lighter.

Matching the beefier appearance is a stronger configuration of the V6 3.2-liter bi-turbodiesel engine churning 350 bhp (261 kW) and 800 Nm (591 lb-ft). It’s up on power by 10 bhp (7 kW) and 212 Nm (157 lb-ft) and the maximum torque is now attainable at 5,000 rpm instead of the previous 7,800 rpm. This is still a two-wheel drive rally car with a longitudinally-mounted six-speed manual sequential gearbox and 355-mm vented front & rear disc brakes.

Bigger is better in this case as Peugeot Sport says the revised 2008 DKR is now more aerodynamic and will help Sébastien Loeb, Stéphane Peterhansel, Cyril Despres, and Carlos Sainz perform better. The 2016 Dakar Rally will kick off on January 2 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and will come to an end after almost 10,000 km (6,213 miles) on January 16 in Rosario, Argentina.